As you begin to read this, I want you to know something first.  I want you to know that I could spout off to you like the typical Monday Morning Quarterback, railing and wailing on the NFL and NCAA happenings of the weekend.  I could tell you that the Raiders and Titans suck massively (which they do), or that Chad Johnson got the bleach knocked out of him (which he had coming), or that Roy Williams is a fool (which everyone knows). or that Oklahoma got screwed (which they did).  I could tell you all these things, but then I wouldn't be making any use of your time.  You can find all of this in the local paper, or USA Today, or SI, AP articles, or by simply watching SportsCenter.  I'd rather tell you about something you can't find anywhere else.

On Saturday evening, a tree fell in the forest- no, not Ryan Howard swinging his lumber- without being heard.  In Arlington, Texas, Chone Figgins, the 2005 Angels team MVP, went 4-4 with 3 runs scored and 3 RBI, and more importantly, he hit for the cycle.  Figgins became just the 5th player in frachise history to accomplish the difficult feat. 

Hitting for the cycle is unequivocally one of the most daunting tasks in baseball.  Extremely few players execute it successfully during a given season, and many have never done it at any point in their entire baseball careers- from Tee Ball to the Majors. 

The fact that Chone Figgins entered the game batting a meager .254, was recently moved down to the 9th spot in the order, and had already committed a fielding error, his 16th of the year, prior to even coming to the plate for his 1st at-bat, ensured that a landmark offensive night would dictate positive recourse.  But not on this night.

Figgins came up in the 9th with a man on, in hopes of smacking the omnipresently elusive triple to complete the cycle.  He banged one in the left-center gap, the run scored, and Figgins scampered his way around the bases, reaching 3rd safely.  His quote from the AP, "I was going all the way.  If I could get a ball and drive it, I was going for three."  Anyone watching the game could tell Figgins wanted it desparately as he indicates in his quote; upon reaching 3rd safely, Figgins sprang up, clapped his hands together, pumped his fist, and wore a Cheshire Cat-sized grin on his grill.

One problem buddy, when you glance at the scoreboard to confirm your 4-4 cycle, don't forget to read the column marked "R."  Let me remind you that your RBI triple made the score 12-5- in favor of TEXAS.  Let me remind you that the Oakland A's had already beaten the White Sox, AGAIN, in the their day game, extending their lead in the division to 5 and a half games before you had even set mission on your losing cause.  Let me remind you that your steady mire of hitting has sent you from .293 in May to the .260s in August, and now the .250s in September, when your team needed you the most.

Yes you are invaluable for your speed, heart, and flexibility in the field.  Yes your versatility has been abused and misused and it could be chiefly responsible for your slump.  And yes, you were the team MVP in '05.  But for the love of 4th quarter end zone celebrations when your team is already down by 50, why did you have to get so excited?

Why were you so ecstatic about an individual feat when your team's playoff chances were being ripped away from you in front of your eyes?  What was so pleasing about a 12-6 loss and a 6 game deficit in the division?  Many people may have missed the alacrity Figgins displayed in the 9th, but I didn't.  I didn't because I know it's not something I would've seen in 2002 when the Angels played together with a team attitude and team goals and went out and won the World Series.

Perhaps it's this type of individualistic attitude that has the Angels stuck behind the A's in the standings this year.  Maybe it's the reason they've completely underachieved based on expectations and payroll.  I just know I wasn't celebrating when my team was down 12-5 and losing the playoff race, but Chone Figgins was.  The question is, would you?   

OK, so I know a tome's been published declaring the wizardry of Oakland A's GM, Billy Beane.  With consideration of the great read by Michael Lewis, Moneyball, that chronicled the A's and their stellar front office moves- concepts that allowed the Army Surplus cheap A's to compete against the Bellagio Yankees and Red Sox, it is time to revisit the mastermind- the most brilliant man in baseball- Billy Beane.  As of September 11th, 2006, the Oakland A's have the 5th best record out of the 30 teams in MLB, and hold a 5.5 game lead over the Angels for first place in the AL West.  However, it wasn't long ago, that many people, myself included, were questioning the mental sanity of one Billy Beane.

 I can remember it like the night McGwire hit #62- December 18th, 2004- a shriek from the other room- more piercing than a Ray Lewis sack- coming from my roomate, Rey Robles, a devout Oakland A's fan (a bonafide ANer). 

"What the F***?"  Rey bellowed throughout the apartment.

He continued, "Beane's lost his mind."

At that point I had just finished reading Moneyball and felt there was nothing that could shake the unflappable deified image I held of Beane.    

But then as I looked closer, my head began to grow with the same sense of bewilderment it felt the night my closer Troy Percival (who hadn't given up a run all season), entered a tie ballgame against the Indians in the 9th in '96 and gave up solo homeruns to Albert Belle, Sandy Alomar Jr., and Jim Thome, taking the loss.  There are some circumstances that have such a hideous appearance that not even Johnny Cochrane could find a positive spin.

Indeed after a long look, Beane had certainly lost his mind.  Within 2 days, Beane had traded away 4 years of All-Star, 2 years of 2nd place Cy Young finishes, 173 wins, 1,567 strikeouts, 2,243.7 innings of excellent pitching, and the heart-and-soul of a youthful and successful A's team. 

First to the firing squad went Tim Hudson on December 16th...and 2 days later came the lethal injection, Mark Mulder on December 18th.  How's that for an effing Christmas gift to A's fans.

Beane's reasoning, as if directing four straight trips to the playoffs with one of the cheapest teams in the game were meaningless, was that he'd rather get rid of a player a year too early rather than a year too late.  

Point well taken- the A's can only afford to spend so much on individual players with such a tight budget, and Mulder and Hudson were due to cash in on huge free-agent contracts- might as well get some players in exchange, rather than a few compensatory draft picks.

Both Hudson and Mulder have been less than spectacular since the deals.  In fact, it can be argued that Danny Haren, who was retained in the Mulder deal, has out-pitched both of them, and he's a fraction of the cost.  This analysis already shows Beane's shrewdness, and that's disregarding what Kiko Calero has already contributed, and what Dan Meyer and Daric Barton may eventually contribute.  Joe Roderick offers more statistical analysis of the dividends.   

Looking back on that day from my comfortable view in front of my laptop, it's easy to retract my jeers of Beane.  I have learned not to ever question you again.    

Moreover, what must not be left out, is that Billy Beane single-handedly made the best free-agent signing of the off-season.  Beane pounced on what was an excellent deal, and what has turned out to be the steal of the year.  On a completely risk-free, completely high reward scenario, Beane signed Frank Thomas, The Big Hurt, who had just got done acting like The Big Skirt in Chicago, to a $500,000 base salary, incentive-laden deal.  It was a no-brainer.  A no-lose situation.  At worst, you're what, out 500-large?  Big deal.  At best, he bashes 30 home-runs, drives in 100, and you owe him a few mil?  Seems pretty sweet to me. 

All Frank Thomas needed was a chance and a change.  Frank Thomas just needed a relocation- an escape from the brutal Chicago media that had bashed him over the course of the decade, easily forgetting his utter dominance throughout the 90s. 

 

But the Frank Thomas of the 90s, The Big Hurt, is reincarnate in Oakland.  At this writing, Thomas is carrying the A's offense to the pennant, having homered 5 consecutive games.  A sure-fire Comeback Player of the Year, Frank is easily the team MVP.  The Big Hurt has belted 35HR in 405AB, driven in 97 runs, and has a hearty .956 OPS.  At his pace, he'll be clear past 40 dingers and 100 RBI by week 2 of the NFL season.

I can promise you Billy Beane is smiling more than a tech-nerd at Cheetah's dishing out the Benjamins to Big Frank. 

Beane's virtuoso skill was in top flight for the Frank Thomas signing.  The ability to sign Thomas to terms so favorable for the organization, and the fact that none of the other 29 GMs in the game could put together a better offer to steal The Big Hurt away, is one more example of what makes Billy Beane a true genius and the best executive in baseball.   A division title is in sight- and thus so are the playoffs, and just reaching them with the 21st lowest payroll in the league, means that Beane has usurped the competition. 

GOOD ROOKIE DEBUTS (OFFENSE)

-         Reggie Bush              (Saints RB from USC, 2nd pick overall)

        119 total yards

-         Laurence Maroney    (Patriots RB from Minnesota, 21st overall)   

        17 carries 86 yards

-         Jerious Norwood        (Falcons RB from Mississippi St., 3rd rd pick)

        66 yards on 10 carries

-         Vernon Davis             (Niners TE from Maryland, 6th overall)               5 rec 37yds 1 TD, but he lost a fumble

-         Devin Hester             (Bears Special Teamer from Miami, 2nd rd pick)         84yd punt return for TD in 4th qtr

-       Stephen Gostkowski (Patriots PK from    Memphis, 4th rd pick)

      game-tying FG in the 4th qtr, 2-2 XPT

-      Marques Colston       (Saints WR from Hofstra, 7th rd pick)

      4 catches, 49yds and a TD

 

 

GOOD ROOKIE DEBUTS (DEFENSE)

 

-      DeMeco Ryans         (Texans LB from Alabama, 2nd rd pick)

        13 total tackles

-      Tamba Hali                (Chiefs DL from Penn St., 20th overall pick)

        7 total tackles

-      Ernie Sims                 (Lions LB from Florida St., 1st rd pick 9th overall)                     9 total tackles 

-      Haloti Ngata             (Ravens DL from Oregon 1st rd pick, 12th overall)                     1 INT 

-      Donte Whitner          (Bills S from Ohio St., 1st rd pick 8th overall)                             8 total tackles, 1 INT 

-     Manny Lawson         (Niners DE from NC St., 1st rd pick 22nd overall)                      6 tackles

-    Danieal Manning      (Bears DB from Abilene Christian, 2nd rd pick 42nd overall)            2 tackles, 1 INT

-    Antoine Bethea         (Colts S from Howard, 6th rd pick)

      6 total tackles in the Manning Bowl

-    Mark Anderson        (Bears DE from Alabama, 5th rd pick)

        2 tackles and a sack

-    Ko Simpson              (Bills S from South Carolina, 4th rd pick)

       7 total tackles

-    Keith Ellison             (Bills LB from Oregon St., 6th rd pick)

        10 total tackles

-    Tye Hill                     (Rams CB from Clemson, 1st rd pick 15th)

      2 tackles and an INT

-    Domata Peko            (Bengals DT from Mich. St. 4th rd pick)

      3 tackles and a sack

-    D'Qwell Jackson      (Browns LB from Maryland, 2nd rd pick)

      10 total tackles

 

BAD ROOKIE DEBUTS (OFFENSE)

     

      -     Vince Young               (Titans QB from Texas, 1st rd pick 3rd overall)         3 of 4 for 27yds and an INT

      -     Bruce Gradkowski     (Bucs QB from Toledo, 6th rd pick)               

            1 of 5 for 4yds

      -     Greg Jennings            (Packers WR from W. Michigan, 2nd rd pick)   

            0 catches in Packers loss

      -     Joe Klopfenstein        (Rams TE from Colorado, 2nd rd pick)

            0 catches in Rams win

      -     Santonio Holmes        (Steelers WR from Ohio St., 25th overall pick)

            1 catch for 6yds, 2yds on only punt return

 

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EARLY ROOKIE OF THE YEAR FAVORITES

OFFENSE:  Reggie Bush, Laurence Maroney, Vernon Davis

 

DEFENSE:  DeMeco Ryans, D'Qwell Jackson, Donte Whitner, Ernie Sims

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I was sitting around last night waiting patiently for Charlie Batch to have a Charlie Batch moment so I could write several nasty things this morning about him.  They would range from told you so, to the guy blows more than Heather (yeah you kazaa freaks know who I'm talking 'bout), to never bet a team with Charlie Batch as its starting QB.  You knew it just had to happen, you knew he would have the inevitable Jake Plummer circa '97 Cardinals screw up that will lose the game.  Well, that moment did come when he A-Rod'ed the snap from center, about a Bus' gut from the end zone, that should've iced the victory for the visiting Dolphins.

Should've.  Could've, would've, should've.  Should've so long as the opposing QB isn't Daunte Culpepper. 

Culpepper is the Corona of quarterbacks.  In a bar full of cheap and crappy domestics, he's the sexiest alternative, regardless of the quality.  The taste isn't good enough by itself; it always comes with a lime, and sometimes salt, otherwise it's guaranteed to disappoint.

That's what Daunte Culpepper has become.  He is by far the most over-rated quarterback in the NFL.  He came into the league with tons of hype, because after all, you need something when you're coming out of Central Florida.  He picked splinters his first year, learning from Jeff George how to throw the ball as high and far as possible, and how to sprint 75 yards downfield in order to hug Randy Moss before his pants dropped to his ankles.  It was during this time that Culpepper presumably was up late (after all, it's not like he had a playbook to learn) watching MTV Hits and saw the Big Tymers get their roll on, and decide to save it to the memory bank for when he'd actually have the chance to throw to Moss and Carter. 

The Daunte Culpepper era in Minnesota began that next year, in 2000.  Culpepper learned quickly how to bomb away to two of the best receivers to ever catch a pigskin- Randy Moss (the lime) and Cris Carter (the salt), throwing for 33 touchdowns and nearly 4000 yards.  Culpepper fumbled 11 times, losing 6 of them.

In 2001, he started the first 11 games and went 4-7 before his knee got injured and he missed the rest of the season (they finished 5-11).  Even with the two studs, Culpepper couldn't perform better than a 14/13 TD/INT ratio.  Factor in his 7 fumbles lost, and Culpepper had 20 turnovers.

In 2002, he adjusted to the not so glorious life without Cris Carter by checking in at a '05 Brett Favre like 23 INT, with only 17 TDs.  Not to be overlooked, were 23 fumbles, 9 of which he lost, meaning he turned the ball over 32 times!   The 9 fumbles lost were more than any running back in the league, including Travis Henry who lost 8 fumbles for the Bills.

By 2003, he was 21-22 as a starter, before he remembered how to launch the ball to Moss.  He threw for a much improved 25 TD and against only 11 INT.  The Vikings were 7-7 in the games he started, merely a .500 team.  Gus Frerotte however, proved that anybody could chuck and run to Randy, as the team put up 35 and 39 points (more than all but 1 of Culpepper's 14 starts).  Frerotte by the way, went 30/45 for 506yds and 6 TD, with only 1 INT in those two games.  Culpepper lost the handle of the ball 16 times, but the team recovered 10 of those.  He fumbled as much as Jamal Lewis, who lead all running backs with 6 fumbles in 387 carries.

In 2004, Culpepper continued to live the myth, being selected to his 3rd Pro Bowl, following a 39 TD/11 INT year for a high octane Randy Moss, Nate Burleson led receiving corps.  The team you ask, not bad, just 8-8, which kept Culpepper as a sub .500 career QB (35-36) despite the gaudy numbers.    Daunte finally began to fix his fumbling problem, only fumbling 9 times, recovering 5 of them.  Michael Pittman was the only running back to fumble more, and he had 219 carries.

And last year, long before the 3 torn knee ligaments, there was Daunte Culpepper, struggling to read the opposing defense worse than a dyslexic 2nd grader.  Culpepper looked worse than Kurt Warner did in '04 with the Giants before turning the reigns to Eli Manning.  Peep this- 4 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in his first 5 games last year!  He turned the ball over 10 times in his first two games, without producing a touchdown. 

By the time he tragically left Minnesota following his knee injury, the amazing 3 time Pro Bowl QB was 37 and 40 as a starter.  (Technically he's 37-41 but I'm letting him off the hook for last year's loss to Carolina when he hurt his knee).  You do the math.  Throw the 20,000+ yards and 135 TDs in my face, and I'll say what about his 86 interceptions and 36 fumbles lost, giving him a hideous 122 turnovers! 

And there we have it.  One dramatic and tumultuous off-season later, respected publications such as SI were jumping on the Dolphins bandwaggon (after all, they won their last 6 games of the year in '05 to finish 9-7 under Nick Saban).  Apparently, they must've bought into the '05 and Saban a little too heavily, and forgot who their new QB was.

Thus, while most of America was waiting for backup QB Charlie Batch to screw the game up, all they had to do was look to the opposing sideline, where they'd find a high-priced, over-hyped, losing quarterback who would make enough mistakes to solidify the defending Super Bowl champion Steelers' first win of the year. 

Sorry to disappoint you SI, but the Dolphins, nor any other team in the NFL, will ever reach a Super Bowl, with Daunte Culpepper as its quarterback.  Maybe they'd have a chance if they stuck with Gus Frerotte.

After all, when was the last time you had a Corona without a lime? 

Daunte Culpepper, not Charlie Batch, was the goat.  Culpepper is on his way to once again proving that he can't win without Moss and the high-powered Vikings offense.  While Batch had his mistakes (including the goal-line fumble), he played well enough (and handed it off to Parker well enough) to get the win.  Culpepper threw 2 key interceptions late in the 4th and handed the game to the Steelers.  He's back in his midseason form from last year!   Makes you wonder what SI is thinking now

Willie Parker looked good.  He can carry the load and they're completely utilizing him.  It's not just the long run late in the 2nd quarter to set up their score before the half that was impressive- we know he can break long ones.  It was that they gave it to him on 1st down, and then on 2nd down, like an every-down back, not strictly a speed one.  That was evident especially in the 3rd quarter when they had him run up the middle on consecutive carries.

Steelers threw the ball a lot.  I cannot believe how many passes they let Batch throw, 25 in all.  Then again, when you have the type of pass-protection they have, even Charlie Batch can do OK. 

Joey Porter is a monster.  2 sacks and an interception returned for a TD, my goodness!  Without him, the Steelers clearly don't win.

Madden called it!  With 2 minutes left in the 2nd quarter, the Steelers had 1st and goal.  Madden said, "they like Hines Ward down in this area."  As soon as they came back from commercial, Batch hit Hines for a 7yd TD pass on 2nd and goal.  Fait accompli! 

Both teams had excellent pass protection.  The Steelers did a particularly good job of picking up the blitz.  They afforded Batch time to throw on several occassions.   The sack by Taylor in the 3rd quarter was completely a coverage sack as Batch had plenty of time to find a receiver or throw it away.  Same thing with the Dolphins- Culpepper had several situations with more than 5-6 seconds to get off a pass.  The Dolphins line however, couldn't run-block at all. 

Wes Welker was the MVP for the Dolphins.  He single-handedly set up the first Dolphins TD with a spectacular punt return to the 17.  That was his 2nd good punt return of the game.  He was great with both punt and kick returns, and on top of that, he had 67 yards receiving.  He wasn't Culpepper's primary target, but he was in the right place every time Culpepper checked it down. 

Ronnie Brown over Cadillac.  You could see why the Dolphins were impressed by Brown enough to take him over Cadillac in the draft.  Ronnie did an excellent job picking up blitzes (I saw him pick up a blitz where the LB wound up on the ground after the collision), and also receiving passes.  His versatility allows him to be on the field in every offensive situation.  He also displayed good power when he scored on the 2yd TD run, and he broke tackles to make 2-3 yards out of no-gains. 

Ike Taylor dominated Chris Chambers.  Chambers seems to be over-rated coming into the year.  His gaudy statistics were misleading last year because he had so many balls thrown his way- he also had a ton of drops.  Taylor was on him all night and locked him up- making the Steelers looked justified for giving him a 5 year $22.5 million contract Monday.  Chambers catches were all for short yardage, and Taylor stayed behind his man to make the tackle.

Andrea Kremer is smooth.  She was very smooth, in and out with her questions during the halftime interview with Ben Roethlisberger, and great when they checked in with her.  I can't stand when sideline reporters spend a minute asking a question to a guest, like they're trying to prove they know what they're talking about.  Just ask a concise question and let the guest do the talking thank you very much.  She understands and employs the concept of word economy- the Greg Maddux of sideline reporting. 

The Ike Taylor missed INT was a turning point.  Despite his excellent play on Chambers throughout the game, he missed a potential game-changer when he bobbled the 2nd and 2 poor pass from Culepper in the endzone.  That should've been an interception and would've spared 7 points, giving the Steelers more breathing room and a bigger win. 

The Charlie Batch fumble could've ruined the comeback.  81 yards of offense undone by one poor play, luckily Culpepper bailed him out. 

The Dolphins coaches blew a golden opportunity.  Heath Miller was out of bounds between the 2 and 3 yard line on the 87yd TD catch.  They missed their window to challenge, allowing the TD to stand.  It's possible that Batch could've fumbled again in the same situation.  When Saban finalled tossed the red flag, it was with the same confidence that Marty McFly stood up to Biff.